The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 340 - 289, The Emergency Meeting of Local Officials

One night without words, the next day.

The aftermath of the Buddhist Taoist contest continued to spread in the Capital, and the citizens in every street and alley talked enthusiastically about "Yama Zhao's" exploits yesterday.

In literary circles, stories of the many poems recited at the "Zhangtai Banquet" last night were widely circulated.

Particularly commendable was the one left by the drunken Zhao Douan.

"That Zhao Douan has such a talent for poetry... Did he really write it, or was it ghostwritten?" someone enviously questioned.

"Haha, this poem clearly describes yesterday's experience. Who could have penned it? Besides, being inspired and occasionally having an epiphany is not rare...

Furthermore, in my view, this poem seems incomplete, the spirit unfinished, and has significant shortcomings, not considered a fine work." Someone critiqued.

Most, however, relished the line "The Emperor's favorite is my youth."

They were not savoring the poetry but the gossip.

"Bah, gigolo! What's there to flaunt?"

The scholars collectively turned sour as lemons.

In the upper echelons of the officialdom, the Empress's decree that Zhao Douan be dispatched as an imperial envoy to investigate the corruption case of the Taicang Silver Mine, incited deeper turmoil.

...

Within the Li Mansion's study.

The current Prime Minister, Li Yanfu, sat behind a long table and began writing a letter:

"... Regarding Zhao Douan... you must ensure..."

Shortly after.

The visibly aged and deeply scheming Li Yanfu sealed the envelope himself. Veins protruding on his hands, he picked up a small hammer and gently struck the delicate bell on the table.

The study door was quickly pushed open, and Li Yinglong walked in, bowing:

"Father."

Li Yanfu, trembling slightly, stepped out from behind the long table piled high with books and documents and handed the written letter over with a light tone:

"Send a family official to secretly deliver this to the Governor of Linfeng in Taicang."

Li Yinglong suddenly raised his head, his eyes brightening:

"Father, you've finally made up your mind? Ready to deal with Zhao Douan?"

"Ask less, do more." Li Yanfu's eyes were cold and deep, concealing his inner thoughts.

Li Yinglong shivered, dared not speak further, and responded before leaving.

The old minister, with disheveled hair and stubble as sharp as a hedgehog, stood by the crack of the study door, allowing the autumn sunlight to fall on his face.

His squinting eyes showed a trace of concern and a hint of ruthlessness:

"Taicang..."

At that moment, an imperial decree, several letters, flurrying like snowflakes, headed towards the small town of Taicang.

...

...

Several days later.

Within a government office on Linfeng Road.

The doors and windows were tightly shut. Sitting around a long "conference table" were the Governor of Linfeng, the Inspector... and several local officials such as the Magistrate.

"Pa."

The Governor of Linfeng, who held top regional power, tossed a document onto the table, leaned back in his high-backed chair, coldly scanning the court officials in the room, and said in a stern voice:

"Speak up, how shall we deal with the impending imperial envoy?"

How to deal?

In the tightly closed room, around the heavy table set with blue and white teacups, the few local officials were all serious.

They exchanged glances, but no one began to speak.

"Governor Gao," finally, the Inspector of standard third rank, seated inside, spoke first.

This nearly sixty-year-old, who managed inspection duties yet looked kind and gentle, spoke slowly:

"The Taicang Silver Mine incident has already alarmed the Emperor, and an imperial envoy has been dispatched. This matter is no longer just an issue for Linfeng Road, but a significant court matter, a matter of the Emperor's Saint Majesty, concerning our Great Yu's New Policies and the livelihoods of countless families..."

The old man first spoke in official jargon, finally offering a pragmatic suggestion:

"In my humble opinion, we should await the envoy, disclose everything truthfully, and cooperate to our utmost."

Before the Governor could speak.

Seated opposite the old man, the nearly fifty-year-old Taicang Magistrate, thin and dark as iron, clad in a standard fourth-rank crimson official robe, seemed agitated.

His iron-rod-like fingers tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention, and spoke in a deep voice:

"Indeed, by protocol, we must cooperate with the imperial envoy. However... the current situation is clear to everyone here, and it's not something that can be ignored or brushed off!"

Magistrate Sun Xiaozhun's voice rose three degrees, his eyes glimmering:

"Inspector Liu says to disclose, but how to disclose? The court's order is for us to apprehend the culprits before the envoy arrives. Fine, but where are the people? They are gone!

Not just this Taicang County Magistrate is missing, even the mining tax official we were to protect is gone!

Mr. Liu, you tell me, how do we explain this to the envoy? Or are you suggesting you all are conspiring against me to have my head to account to the Emperor?"

"Mr. Sun!"

Sitting in a high position, designated by the six ministries, controlling Linfeng Road's local government powers, Governor Gao Lian held a blue and white porcelain teacup, his face darkening:

"Be careful with your words! Don't be emotional..."

"I'm not emotional!"

Known for his decisive style and commendable governance, the newly transferred Taicang Magistrate Sun Xiaozhun waved his hand dismissively, speaking cynically:

"Mr. Gao, it appears that you and Inspector Liu, not being directly responsible for the Taicang Silver Mine, don't feel the heat of the fire, huh? I must remind everyone, it's clearly written in the document that the coming envoy is the renowned 'Yama Zhao', though I haven't met him, you must have heard of his style.

Mr. Liu, do you truly believe that 'truthful disclosure' means nothing will happen?

Don't forget, you are responsible for judicial inspection, and you will not escape responsibility if an official issue arises.

And Governor Gao, are you not afraid that this Zhao will bring a scorching fire upon us all in one sweep?

I've heard that this Zhao Douan in the Capital has conflicts with the Prime Minister and even dismantled the Young Master's sedan chair..."

This straightforward and honest Fourth-rank Magistrate unleashed a torrent of words.

Spittle flying.

Unfazed and unabashed before his superiors.

Rendering the third-rank old Inspector and the Secondary Second-rank Governor momentarily speechless.

Within the room.

The remaining two officials were sweating profusely, trying to mediate.

Governor of Linfeng, Gao Lian, controlling fiscal and personnel powers, with fair skin and a calm demeanor, sat at the head.

His half-white hair was meticulously arranged under the official hat, every strand in place.

After Sun finished venting, Gao, noticing Inspector Liu's grim face, sighed softly, his voice turning gentle.

He personally rose, handing his blue and white teacup to Sun Xiaozhun:

"Mr. Sun, please soothe your throat."

"... Hmph." The Magistrate accepted reluctantly but still didn't drink, tossing it back to his front.

Gao Lian sighed:

"Mr. Liu and I understand this is an undeserved disaster for you, and we have no intention of abandoning our colleagues. Today, I have gathered everyone to discuss this matter."

He turned, looking at the old Inspector, whose face suggested amiability, his voice carrying a subtle reminder:

"Mr. Liu, we serve the same court, as if riding the same boat; whether trouble arises sooner or later, no one is immune.

Mr. Sun is right. With the New Policies aggressively pushed by the court, silver mining has become paramount. And now, this incident has brewed, and it's inevitable that the Emperor will make an example.

Additionally, with the Examination Method gradually implemented, countless eyes are watching, waiting to see who will first serve as the sacrificial flag.

The Emperor dispatched none other than Zhao Douan for this task, making it abundantly clear. Gentlemen!"

On his gentle scholarly face, his gaze suddenly turned as sharp as a blade:

"This is no longer a matter of a single county or a single prefecture in Taicang. It's a guillotine suspended over the entire Linfeng officialdom!

We must work together, or else countless officials will be implicated to satisfy Zhao Douan's appetite."

Inside the room, everyone was visibly moved.

Sun, seeing Gao speak in his favor, felt a great joy, adjusted his posture, and respectfully asked:

"Mr. Gao, what exactly do you propose? Speak plainly."

The old Inspector also perked his ears.

Others turned, waiting for what follows.

The eloquent and calm Governor, with every hair distinctly visible, adorned by wrinkles closely lining his eyes, smiled subtly:

"As long as we all speak with one voice, limiting the blame to the Taicang County Magistrate, we can ensure Linfeng's officialdom remains safe..."

"After all, how formidable is the Capital official? This is our domain under control."

"As they say, a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake... Once he arrives, we shall first suppress this envoy's arrogance."

Gao Lian instructed.

His mind, however, lingered on the secret message, delivered from the Prime Minister's Mansion via a galloping courier the previous day.

It was a secret message, also known as a "brocade bag."

Prime Minister Li Yanfu remotely commanding from the Capital.

It laid out, between the lines, various strategies Zhao Douan might employ and the countermeasures.

...

...

The third day after the Buddhist and Taoist contest.

The Jianghu people, who arrived at the Capital from afar to witness the spectacle, left contentedly.

The Capital, bustling all summer, with the cooling autumn breeze, momentarily regained tranquility.

Few knew that Zhao, the man who overshadowed both the Heavenly Master Mansion and Divine Dragon Temple, left quietly with a simple entourage amidst the flow of people.

On the official road.

The carriage swayed, not as stable as the city streets.

Inside the carriage.

Zhao Douan opened his eyes from meditation, exhaling deeply, his expression helpless:

"It's still not working."

It had been several days since obtaining the "Six Chapters Scripture," but he still couldn't perceive the wonders of this "second canvas."

However, through breathing exercises and meditation, after advancing to the Divine Chapter Realm, the turbulent Qi Mechanism within his Qi Sea gradually stabilized.

Every time during cultivation, the waves in the Qi Sea roared like a tsunami, incomparable to the profoundness of the Mortal Realm.

"Patience, one cannot eat hot tofu with a hasty heart, take it slow."

Zhao Douan silently admonished himself not to be impatient.

Outside the swaying curtain of the carriage, came the voice of his "secretary," Qian Kerou:

"Sir, we are about to reach Taicang, and it's expected that there will already be a throng of officials waiting at the city gate. There's a tea stall ahead, shall we stop or not?"

"Stop, I'm just thirsty."

Zhao Douan stretched lazily, smiling:

"As for those officials, let them wait, should I arrive parched merely for their comfort?"

"Alright."

On the official road, the four carriages halted beside a small tea stall shaded for travelers' rest.

Zhao Douan lifted the curtain, stepping down, taking a deep breath of the autumn air, when the snorting of horses and a female voice from the neighboring carriage greeted his ears:

"Why did Mr. Zhao stop?"

Zhao Douan, hands on hips in his splendid attire, glanced at the refined and beautiful Jiangnan woman's face protruding from her carriage, sneering:

"If the Commandery Princess wishes to leave, do so, why insist on following me?"

Xu Junling, assisted by her maid, Lv Shui, descended the carriage steps, crinkling her nose with a captivating smile:

"Mr. Zhao, how ruthless you are."

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